Crimes of Persuasion

Schemes, scams, frauds.

Real Estate Offer is actually Nigerian Check
Scam

SUGAR GROVE, IL 03/07 – An online real-estate scam has
targeted two Sugar Grove residents on the popular home sales site
forsalebyowner. com, police said.

The scam, referred to as the “Advance Fee Fraud,” occurs
when a home buyer and seller interact online and come to an agreement
on the sale of a home. The scammer will send a check to the homeowner
for an agreed amount, including the deposit, plus extra for the buyer’s
broker.

The buyer will instruct the homeowner to deposit the check and
send the broker, via Western Union, a portion of the deposit. The checks
received by the seller are forged, and by the time the check is returned,
they will already have lost the broker’s fee.

Police also refer to this type of scam as a “419 Scam.” Police
have seen them for years with lottery scams, room rentals and when people
have items for sale, ranging from dogs to horses.